Is there a "Heavy Duty" 3G alternator?

[Darrin Tosh]

What I mean by Heavy Duty is something for a HD applicaton that has better longer lasting bearints,.

Here's why, I have been going through the bearings on my alt about every 4 months. It seems that the Cummins Belt Tensioner is tighter than a Ford one.

It just seized up again on me last night, I got it pulled off this morning, and sure enough, the bearings are bad. I can bring it up and get the bearings replaced again, but I want to FIX the problem, not just fix the alt.

Any suggestions?

 

[argve]

If you can't find a better alt, get the size of the bearing and see if your local industrial parts house like for example Motion Inc can get you a better bearing. trust me Motion won't have it in stock but can get it to you the next day.... they have never had what I needed in stock. They should be able to get you something. I would suspect that the rear sleeve bushing is what's going out because the front should be a full fledged bearing.

That's just the industrial maintenance experience talking.

 

[argve]

or here's another thought... put a Dodge alt on it.

 

[Darrin Tosh]

Thanks Travis, I am bringing it up to my re builder again and ask him if there are better bearings out there that can be used.

A Dodge alt would be an option but the motor is setup for the Ford, I would have to get different brackets, and wiring as well I assume. That will be a last option.

I will probably just have it rebuilt again for now to have it drivable again and when I park it for the winter in the next month or so I will look into different options.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Darrin, call the guy at RJM Injection Tech, he builds custom alternators and he's semi-local (Lansing) so he may be able to help ya out: 517-455-7352

 

[Compu Doc]

You could always put a Leece Neville alternator on it. That's what is on my truck.

 

[Agnem]

Darrin, when these bearings have been going bad, are you just getting the bearings replaced, are you getting a whole alternator, and in either case who is the source? Have you tried a genuine Motorcraft alternator? - Mel

 

[jperecko]

I have done my fair bit of research mostly with the offroading community and bought a powermaster 200 amp 3g alternator. They have it in lower amperages as well if you do not need that much power and basically everybody who used and abused them did not have any complaints from them. It is all bolted up to the Cummins but as the engine needs some coolant and wiring still, no word on my personal experience with the thing.

 

[Darrin Tosh]

Thanks for all of the input.

Darrin, call the guy at RJM Injection Tech, he builds custom alternators and he's semi-local (Lansing) so he may be able to help ya out: 517-455-7352

I gave called them a couple of times, no answer I'll try them again later,..

You could always put a Leece Neville alternator on it. That's what is on my truck.

I hear those are good, I'll check them out, Think they are expensive,.

Darrin, when these bearings have been going bad, are you just getting the bearings replaced, are you getting a whole alternator, and in either case who is the source? Have you tried a genuine Motorcraft alternator? - Mel

It is geting rebuilt with new bearings. This time he said it just took out the front sleeve, not sure what the source is. He did put the better bearings in it last time, but he his going to see what else is out there. He is a rebuilder that I have been using for 10 years, he knows his stuff, charges me $30.00 to rebuild a G3. Considering a New Ford one as well, But as you will read, I think I have the problem taken care of,...



It looks like I got it covered,.. I eliminated the belt tensioner. The way this is set up, The alternator is adjustable, so I removed the tensioner, tightened the belt with the alternator and bolted it down. I didn't even need a shorter belt, it fit correctly.

So well run it like that and keep an eye on it but for now I'm gonna call it good!

 

[Compu Doc]

Hope it all works out. The belt tensioner might have been putting to much stress on the alternator bearings.

As for the Leece Neville they are expensive. About $250 for a rebuilt one but if you need to go that route make sure you get one with a lifetime warranty. I had a few that went bad but they were replaced at no cost to me. The one in their now has been for about 4-5 years maybe longer.

 

[mankypro]

My 200 amp 3g alternator on my IDI has been going strong for a year. I got it from romeo_electric on EBAY.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Romeo-ElectriK__W0QQ_armrsZ1

No relation, but the guy does superior customer service, even a year out of warranty. Not that I've had any problems with my alt - I just had some questions.

 

[Alex S]

The 130A 3G i converted into a TIG welder has been holding up for a year now

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[Mat J]

alex that looks like a bad ass little rig i like its home made what all is it made from

 

[subliminal]

yea no ****, thats sweet! is it 24v ?

 

[Alex S]

No just an 11HP B&S turning a 3G that i bypassed the regulator. So i run 12V threw a dimmer then to the filed circuit on the alt, that controls the alt output and i just have a lil tig torch connected to it. Its a scratch start though. I have made some improvmenst and added a spark stabilizer and also a wire feeder for MIG welding as well. Its an ongoing side project

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